Digital Realty Marseille MRS4 Data Center: 13MW Mediterranean Interconnection Hub
Status: Fully Operational Enterprise & Cloud Hub | Location: ancienne base sous-marine, Enceinte Portuaire, Porte 4, 13015 Marseille, France
Project Overview
Digital Realty Marseille MRS4 is a premier carrier-neutral data center delivering approximately 13 MW of critical IT capacity in the Port of Marseille, one of Europe's most strategically important digital connectivity hubs. As part of Digital Realty's PlatformDIGITAL® global data center ecosystem, the facility provides approximately 6,700 square meters of high-quality colocation space designed to support hyperscale cloud deployments, enterprise IT infrastructure, artificial intelligence (AI) workloads, content delivery platforms, and mission-critical digital services. Strategically positioned within Marseille's thriving connectivity ecosystem, MRS4 serves as a vital digital gateway linking Europe with Africa, the Middle East, and Asia through direct access to one of the world's largest concentrations of international subsea cable systems. The facility enables ultra-low-latency connectivity by offering carrier-neutral access to multiple telecommunications providers, internet exchanges, cloud platforms, and major continental and intercontinental fiber networks, allowing customers to establish resilient, high-speed connections across global markets. Engineered to meet international standards for reliability, security, and operational resilience, the data center incorporates redundant electrical infrastructure, energy-efficient cooling systems, high-density rack capabilities, advanced fire detection and suppression technologies, and comprehensive physical security with continuous monitoring. As an integral component of PlatformDIGITAL®, MRS4 also enables seamless interconnection with Digital Realty's global portfolio of data centers, supporting hybrid IT strategies, multi-cloud deployments, and distributed digital infrastructure architectures. The facility is designed to provide scalable capacity and flexible colocation solutions for hyperscalers, cloud service providers, financial institutions, telecommunications operators, content providers, and multinational enterprises seeking reliable digital infrastructure. By combining strategic geographic positioning, world-class connectivity, resilient infrastructure, and scalable colocation capabilities, Digital Realty Marseille MRS4 strengthens Marseille's role as one of the world's leading international data center and subsea connectivity hubs.
Quick Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Project Name | Digital Realty Marseille MRS4 Data Center: 13MW Mediterranean Interconnection Hub |
| Location | ancienne base sous-marine, Enceinte Portuaire, Porte 4, 13015 Marseille, France |
| Status | Fully Operational Enterprise & Cloud Hub |
| Commissioning | Operational |
| Total IT Load | 13.0 MW Critical IT Power Capacity Allocation |
| Total Capacity | ~6,700 m² (~72,000 sq ft) gross facility footprint |
| Tier Level | Tier III Equivalent Fault-Tolerant Architecture / ISO 14001, ISO 45001, HDS Certified |
| Project Type | Purpose-Built Multi-Tenant Carrier-Neutral Cloud Gateway & Subsea Cable Landing Hub |
City Profile
| Header | Details |
|---|
| City Name | Marseille |
| Population | ~870,000 (city proper) |
| Urban Agglomeration | ~1.7 million |
| City GDP | Approx. $85–100 billion USD |
| Per Capita Income | ~$30,000–$35,000 USD annually |
| City Tier | Tier 2 |
| Key Strengths | Major Mediterranean port (one of Europe’s largest) |
Companies Involved
| Header | Details |
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| Developer / Operator | Digital Realty |
| Strategic Infrastructure Partner | Grand Port Maritime de Marseille (GPMM) & Enedis Utility Network |
| Construction Contractor | Specialized European Mission-Critical EPC & Technical Engineering Contractors |
| MEP Engineering | Digital Realty Technical Infrastructure & Engineering Teams |
| Network Connectivity | Ultra-connected carrier-neutral environment with dual path-diverse subterranean fiber entrance vaults, dedicated Meet-Me-Rooms (MMRs), direct access to 18+ major subsea cables landing in Marseille, and local IX peering points. |
| Power Infrastructure | Dual high-voltage grid utility feeds from independent substations, static N+1 uninterruptible power supply (UPS) modules, automated switchgear, and multi-megawatt emergency standby diesel generator arrays with on-site fuel autonomy. |
Technical Specifications
| Header | Details |
|---|
| Power Capacity | 13.0 MW Total Utility Critical IT Power Allocation |
| UPS Redundancy | N+1 Static UPS Architecture |
| Cooling System | Energy-efficient 2N precision cooling infrastructure, chilled water systems, hot/cold aisle containment, and automated smart BMS environmental controls. |
| Connectivity | Low-latency optical fiber links directly linking MRS4 to Digital Realty's MRS1, MRS2, and MRS3 facilities, as well as European core carrier routes. |
| PUE Target | < 1.35 Annualized Operational Design PUE |
| Energy Mix | 100% Renewable Energy supply matched with Digital Realty's global sustainability commitments. |
Milestones
| Header | Details |
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| Announcement | 2021–2022 |
| Construction Start | 2022 |
| Phase 1 Go-Live | Operational |
| Full Buildout | Fully Operational Active Facility |
Investment Details
| Header | Details |
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| Total Investment | Estimated €80,000,000 EUR to €120,000,000 EUR Capital Investment |
| Funding | Corporate Capital Expenditure (Digital Realty) |